First things first: Any craft beer fan knows what a growler is, but what the heck is a gill?

It’s a glass. Four ounces big.

Mike Fitzgerald, co-owner of new craft beer establishment Growler & Gill in Nanuet, explains that Growler & Gill provides tastings — from their rotating lineup of 16 beer taps, or from visiting brewers — in those gill glasses. If you like what you taste, they’ll gladly pour you a pint (that’s 16 ounces) or even fill up a growler (a 64-ounce glass beer jug) for you to enjoy at home. Of course, your beer of choice may well be on the shelf; Growler & Gill is also a well-stocked craft beer retailer, with shelves full of hard-to-find microbrews from all over the country.

Craft beer is a growing movement and its fans are passionate. Growler & Gill’s employees are proudly known as “Beer Geeks” — several of them are also home brewers, as are many of their customers. Every Thursday Growler & Gill welcomes a different brewery for free tastings. The bar also holds “style tastings,” which feature a selection of beers based on a given theme.

Fitzgerald founded Growler & Gill along with his brother Joe, and friends Walt Mihatov and Brian Condon, all Nanuet natives. “My wife Doreen and I always try to find local craft beers and breweries wherever we travel,” says Fitzgerald.

He started writing for Tri State Beer Blog, a group effort of craft beer lovers from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

“We were reviewing beers, meeting the brewers and going to other craft beer shops, and we thought, ‘Why don’t we do something like this in our hometown?’” says Fitzgerald.

The group started an online fundraising campaign on Kickstarter in June to see if there was interest in the business. The campaign was successful; Growler & Gill opened Oct. 5.

Rather than catering to the wild late-night crowd, Growler & Gill aims for a more relaxed vibe — “It’s a family, community place,” says Fitzgerald. “We’re about educating people on good beer and good food.” Fitzgerald describes the ever-evolving menu as “things that work really well with beer” — regular items include bratwurst, pierogi, pizzas, pulled pork sliders and Bavarian pretzels. Beer desserts are another territory they’re exploring; they’ve done a chocolate stout float with vanilla ice cream, Frambois over ice cream, and a stout brownie.

Growler & Gill also sells sauces, mustards and spreads, including hot sauces from Stone Brewing Co. (brewers of Arrogant Bastard Ale). Pint glasses, beer books and home brewing kits are available as are gift baskets and gift certificates (good for bar or store).

Despite being open since October, Growler & Gill held its official grand-opening party Nov. 17.

“It was an opportunity to thank our Kickstarter supporters and invite the community to come check us out,” says Fitzgerald. Clarkstown officials were on hand for the ribbon-cutting.

The event featured a free drink for each person as well as a raffle for Growler & Gill gift certificates.

Local Shanna Straut of the “Adventures in Cupcakery” blog provided Oktoberfest beer cupcakes for the occasion — exactly the sort of fan involvement that Growler & Gill hopes will ensure its place in the community for years to come.